Use of ligands specific to major histocompatibility complex-class I antigens for diagnosing endometriosis

ABSTRACT

It is an object of the present invention to provide the clinicians with a new application for ligands specific to MHC-class I antigens, especially HLA-ABC antigens, this new application residing in the detection and diagnosis of endometriosis. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and a test kit for diagnosing endometriosis, preferably by immunohistochemistry, using a monoclonal anti- HLA-ABC antibody as a preferred ligand or diagnostic reagent. This new method is non-invasive and is more reliable as a screening test than the conventionally used laparoscopy. When the endometrium of a woman tests negatively with the claimed method, it prevents the use of laparoscopy which is an invasive method for detecting endometriosis. This method can be practised on a specimen obtained from the endometrium of a patient and does not require a specimen sampled directly from the endometriotic foci.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/860,064filed Sep. 18. 1997 (now abandoned), which is a national phase of PCTApplication No. PCT/CA95/00730, filed Dec. 28, 1995, which is aContinuation-In-Part of U.S. Application Ser. No. 08/365,085, filed Dec.28, 1994, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,680.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the use of ligands specific to a MajorHistocompatibility Complex (MHC)- class I antigen, especially an HLA-ABCsurface antigen, which is normally exposed at the surface of cellmembranes, and which is therefore present in or on endometrial cell, forthe diagnosis of endometriosis. The detection of this antigen is carriedout according to a process comprising the reaction of a ligand,preferably an antibody, which is normally used to detect the presence ofa MHC-class I antigen at the surface of all cells expressing it.

This invention also relates to a method for the diagnosis ofendometriosis using the same ligand(s).

b) Description of Prior Art

Endometriosis is one of the most common disorders encountered in thefield of gynaecology, affecting the health of an estimated 10 to 15% ofwomen during their reproductive years. Although not life threatening,endometriosis is often associated with severe pelvic pain andinfertility.

Endometriosis is classically defined as the presence of endometrialtissue (i.e. glands and stroma) outside the uterine cavity which is itsnormal location. Although various hypothesis have been proposed for itspathogenesis (i.e. transplantation, lymphatic and vascular metastasis,or coelomic metaplasia), there are several lines of evidence to supportthe idea that retrograde menstruation and implantation are the primarymode of developing pelvic endometriosis.

The implantation theory proposes that viable endometrial tissue isrefluxed through the fallopian tubes and implants on the peritonealsurface or pelvic organs. Some additional etiologic factors must bepresent for the development of endometriosis and could be implicated inan altered immune function.

To date, there are no sensitive reliable, non-invasive methods for thediagnosis of endometriosis.

Over the last decade, an increasing number of reports suggest thatendometriosis is associated with abnormal immune function. It was firstsuggested, in 1980, that changes in humoral immunity causeendometriosis. The C3 components of the complement and IgG antibodieshave been found in the endometrium of women with endometriosis, with areduction in the levels of total complement. In addition, IgG and IgAantibodies have been already identified in the ovarian and endometrialtissue of women with endometriosis.

Recently, a high incidence of autoantibodies to phospholipids(particularly phosphatidylserine) and to histones and nucleotides hasalso been reported (Gleicher, 1987), suggesting polyclonal B-cellactivation in endometriosis. The presence of more generalizedautoantibodies have suggested that endometriosis could be an autoimmunedisease. The evidence for autoimmune involvement is, however, far fromunequivocal and many important questions remain.

The possibility that cell-mediated immunity is altered in women withendometriosis was first suggested in 1980. The concentration and totalnumber of peritoneal macrophages are increased in endometriosis as wellas their activator status. The contribution of reactive oxygenmetabolites (superoxide anion (O²⁻), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) andsinglet oxygen (¹O₂)) to the damage of adjacent normal tissues in thepresence of endometriosis has been suggested by an increasedchemiluminescence of peritoneal macrophages.

More recently, a defect in natural killer cell (NK) activity has beenreported. This reduced activity of the NK cells could also be presentlocally, at the level of the peritoneal fluid. Moreover, women withendometriosis show significantly more T-cell suppressor/cytotoxic intheir peritoneal fluid.

Even though a defect in the activity of the NK cells has been noted inthe presence of endometriosis, an increased resistance of theendometrial cells to the NK mediated cytotoxicity was also suggested.The mechanisms involved in this endometrial resistance have remainedunexplained.

In the last five years, a considerable amount of research has beendirected towards the development of a better diagnostic method forendometriosis. However, a problem lies in the fact that women sufferingfrom endometriosis may not exhibit any symptoms other than infertilityor they may only exhibit symptoms that mimic those of many othergynaecological diseases.

Hitherto, it has been common to use an invasive surgical methodrequiring general anesthesia to diagnose endometriosis, such aslaparoscopy or laparotomy which allows the direct visualization of thepelvic content. However, there are certain disadvantages in using thisdifficult and inaccurate method for diagnosing endometriosis.

One such disadvantage of this method is that it is sometimes difficultto detect cases of minimal endometriosis. In addition, otherdisadvantages exist resulting from, for example, the presence ofadhesions which can obscure the direct visualization of the pelvis,making it impossible to even carry out a laparoscopy; or from thepresence of ovarian endometriomas which are often similar in appearanceto functional ovarian cysts and could result in these endometriomasbeing misdiagnosed. Moreover, up to sixteen descriptive types ofendometriosis have been identified recently, which can make thediagnosis of endometriosis even more difficult. Furthermore, what iseven more worrisome is the fact that certain microscopic foci ofendometriosis, which are not identifiable by laparoscopy, have beenidentified and documented using a peritoneal biopsy by scanning with anelectron microscope.

Therefore, even with an increased use of laparoscopy, endometriosisremains a frequently underdiagnosed condition.

In general, imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, CT scanning, andmagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have limited value in the diagnosis ofendometriosis. They can provide information about the invasiveness ofthe disease, but none of these imaging techniques are able to identifysuperficial diseases of peritoneal surfaces. Moreover, the high cost ofthese procedures rarely justifies their use for the diagnosis ofendometriosis.

The technique of using antibodies like, for instance, anti-endometrialantibodies as mentioned hereinabove in a method for the diagnosis ofvarious diseases is a widespread and well known technique.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,744, an improved method is provided for usingradiolabelled antibodies to detect the presence of cell surfaceantigens, including the type HLA-A, HLA-B AND HLA-DR surface antigenslocated on cancer cells, in order to locate and diagnose these cancercells. These highly specific radiolabelled antibodies against the cellsurface antigens are also used in a method for tumour therapy.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,845, labelled mouse monoclonal antibodies, namelyMF116, MH94, MD144, MH55, MF61, ME46, and ME195 were used to detect thepresence of a plurality of surface antigen on human endometrial,cervical or uterine cancer cells and to diagnose these cancer cells.

These labelled monoclonal antibodies are also used in the treatment ofendometrial, cervical or uterine cancers.

In Canadian patent publication number 2,081,900, a method of diagnosingendometriosis is described. This method detects the presence ofparticular antibodies which are present in specimens obtained frompatients suffering of endometriosis. The antigens used as animmunological reagent were isolated from the cytoplasm of epithelialadenocarcinoma cells. These antigens have been characterized only bytheir molecular weight and by their ability to bind the antibodies to bedetected.

In Canadian patent publication number 2,011,704, two methods ofdiagnosing endometriosis are described. One makes use of an antibody,particularly the MS2B6 monoclonal antibody, to detect endometrialantigens, while the other makes use of antigens also isolated fromepithelial carcinoma cells to detect the presence of anti-endometrialantibodies. No attempt is made in this application to clarify thesimilarity or the complete identity of the antigens of both methodsneither to clarify the similarity or equivalence of the MS2B6 antibodywith regard to the endometrial antibodies. Furthermore, the antigensisolated from carcinoma cells are also grossly characterized by theirmolecular weight and their ability to bind the antibodies to bedetected.

The first two patents are directed to the use of monoclonal antibodiesto detect surface antigens present on various cancer cells, includingendometrial cancer cells, and to the diagnosis of these cancer cells. Inall cases, the expression of surface antigens of cancer cells cannot beconsidered as being similar to surface antigens found on endometrialcells of a woman suffering from endometriosis.

Therefore, the particular techniques illustrated in these patentdocuments could not be used as a method for diagnosing endometriosis orfor detecting the different expression of surface antigens onendometrial cells of a woman with endometriosis.

Semino et al (Fertility and Sterility (1995) 64(5): 909-916) describedthat major histocompatibility complex class I molecules may have a rolein the genetic control of endometriosis. The tested endometrial cellswere taken from healthy women (control) or form endometriotic foci (bylaparoscopy). These authors suggest that endometrial cells expressing ahigh number of MHC class I molecules on their surface give a protectivesignal to autologous lymphoid effector cells. On a very limited panel offive patients, they observed that a variable number of HLA class Imolecules was expressed by endometriotic cells (ranging from a reductionof 15% to an enhancement of 30%, when compared to endometrial cellscollected contemporaneously in the uterine mucosa).

Even though this reference may suggest a role for MHC class I moleculesin endometriosis, it does not teach any correlation betweenendometriosis and the number of cells expressing MHC class I molecules.It does not further teach a non-invasive method e.g. a diagnostic methodwherein laparoscopy would be avoided, in other words, performed on anyendometrial cell sample.

In light of these results, there is clearly a great need for anon-invasive diagnostic test which is more reliable than the previoustechniques and which is easier for both the patient and the physician.This new test may decrease the need for laparoscopy in women with pelvicpain or infertility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Applicant has found surprisingly that a woman with endometriosis hasa different expression of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)class I antigens (especially HLA-ABC surface antigens) in or on theirendometrial cells, when compared with the expression of the sameantigens of endometrial cells of a healthy woman. Possibly, thisdifference in the expression of the MHC class I antigens prevents theirrecognition and cytolysis by the NK (natural killer) cells. Thistherefore may explain why the endometrial cells found in the peritonealcavity are not destroyed, following retrograde menstruation and theirsubsequent peritoneal implantation. The presence of a differentexpression of these antigens on endometrial cells is thereforepredictive of endometriosis.

A large number of ligands,. particularly monoclonal antibodies, thatbind the aforesaid antigens normally expressed on the surface of a largenumber of human cells are available. Some authors (Johnson et al., 1984and Sakaguchi et al., 1985) have evaluated the antigenic expression ofthe HLA-ABC antigens on the surface of endometrial cells. However theexpression of the HLA-ABC antigens has never been correlated with thepresence or absence of endometriosis. This is the first proposalsuggesting that endometrial cells from patients with endometriosisexpress MHC-class I antigens, especially the HLA-ABC antigens,differently from normal individuals or other patients.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide theclinicians with a new application for ligands specific to MHC-class Iantigens, especially HLA-ABC antigens, this new application residing inthe detection and diagnosis of endometriosis.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a test fordiagnosing endometriosis, especially a non-invasive and reliablescreening test, using a ligand to these antigens for the diagnosis ofendometriosis. This antigen is present in or on endometrial cells orcells having the same embryonic origin (especially endocervical cells).Therefore, this method can be practised on a specimen obtained from theendometrium of a patient and does not require a specimen sampleddirectly from the endometriotic foci. The detection of these antigenscarried out according to a process comprising the reaction of a ligand,e.g. antibodies with the antigens normally expressed at the surface ofendometrial cells.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the test uses aligand to an antigen originating from endometrial cells. The MHC-class Iantigens to which it will be referred hereinbelow are defined ascomprising HLA-ABC antigens and related molecules. Such relatedmolecules include proteic precursors like immature proteins, portions ofthese antigens as well as messenger RNAs and cDNAs. When proteins aretargeted, the ligand of choice is an antibody specific thereto, and whenmessenger RNAs encoding these proteins are targeted, nucleotidic probeshybridizable thereto might be used to detect the difference ofexpression of these antigens.

MHC class I antigens, especially HLA-A, B and C antigens, are human cellsurface glycoproteins. It is generally assumed that the Major humanHistocompatibility Complex class I antigens, are expressed by nucleatedcells with some exceptions like thymus, kidney or thyroid cells. Theyhave a role in the interaction between cytotoxic T-cells and targetcells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood upon reading the following nonlimitative description of preferred embodiments of it, reference beingmade to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1: Effect of collagenase and trypsin on the detection of HLA-ABCsurface antigens. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were incubated withmedia and collagenase 0.25% for 2 hours at 37° C., or trypsin 0.1% for12 minutes at 37 ° C. The cells were labelled with a monoclonal antibodydirected against HLA-ABC surface antigens and analysed by flow cytometry(n=3),

FIG. 2: Expression of the MHC class I surface antigens on glandularendometrial cells versus the results obtained with laparoscopy. Thecytocentrifuged endometrial cells of women were analysed by indirectimmunohistochemistry to determine the percentage of cells expressingHLA-ABC antigens. These results were compared with the results obtainedby performing a laparoscopy on these same women (n=60).

FIG. 3: Detection of the MHC class I surface antigens by the kit versusthe results obtained with laparoscopy. The endometrial cells retained onchamber slide coated with a cytokeratin antibody were analysed byindirect immunocytochemistry to determine the percentage of cellsexpressing HLA-ABC antigens. These results were compared with theresults obtained by performing a laparoscopy in these same women (n=40).

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The ligands usable in the present invention are available from differentsources. Examples of ligands include antibodies directed to MHC-class Iantigens, especially antibodies directed to HLA-ABC antigens,nucleotidic sequences, especially cDNA molecules or oligonucleotideswhich are complementary to mRNAs or to cDNAs encoding these antigens,and receptors to these antigens. Among these ligands, the monoclonalantibody produced by the hybridoma PHM4 has been found particularlysuitable to detect the presence of endometriosis. Of course, anymonoclonal antibody having the same or equivalent specificity as PHM4could be used in the present invention. This monoclonal antibody iscommercialized by Chemicon (Temecula, Calif.) as a ligand for theidentification of HLA-ABC cells. The binding of these ligands to thetargeted antigens is monitored by labelling means. These labelling meanscomprise but are not limited to markers selected from the groupconsisting of radioisotopes, fluorochromes, enzymes, biotin and electrondense molecules.

The radioisotopes used for labelling may be selected from the groupconsisting of ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³²p, ³H, thallium, technetium, strontium,indium and yttrium. The enzymes used for labelling may be selected fromthe group consisting of peroxidase, esterase and alkaline phosphatase.

The electron dense molecules used for labelling may be selected from thegroup consisting of ferritin, gold and latex spheres.

The endometrial cells or cell components thereof may be evaluated ontissue section or may be suspended in an excipient (for exampleRPMI-1640 medium, Roswell Park Memorial Institute) to define asuspension. This cell suspension may be obtained by a process comprisinga mechanical disruption and/or enzymatic treatment of endometrialtissue. The cells are mounted and fixed on a support suitable foranalysis purposes.

The step of the method mentioned hereinabove, where the labelledantibody is being detected, may be carried out according to a procedurecomprising the step of counterstaining the cells to reveal the presenceof the endometrial cells or endometrial cell components and detecting aresulting colouration of the antigen with appropriate detection means.

These detection means may be selected from the group consisting ofenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, solid phase radiobinding immunoassayswhere the antibodies may be directed either against soluble antigens orcell surface antigens, autoradiography, competitive bindingradioimmunoassay, immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), electron microscopy,peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) labelling, fluorescent microscopy,alkaline phosphatase labelling, peroxidase labelling, an apparatus ormaterial for measuring radioactivity, electrophoresis, Western blotting,Northern blotting, Southern cDNA blotting, flow cytometry, opticalmicroscopy, spectrophotometry, a densitometer, an apparatus formeasuring light reactivity, an apparatus for calorimetric determinationand a polyimerase chain reaction (PCR).

In the case where the detection means used is optical microscopy, thecells are mounted and fixed on a microscope slide. In this case, thestep of detecting the labelled antibody is carried out according to aprocedure comprising the step of counter-staining the cells to revealthe presence of the endometrial cells or endometrial cell components,and detecting a resulting colouration of the antigen with an opticalmicroscope.

When the cells are mounted on a microscope slide, they may be mounted bycytocentrifugation or selectively retained by anti-cytokeratinantibodies coated on chamber slide or other mounting techniques known inthe art (e.g. smearing).

When the endometrial tissue comprising endometrial cells is fixed on amicroscope slide, it may be fixed according to a technique selected fromthe group consisting of cryosection and paraffin-embedding.

However, the cells or cell components can also be suspended in anexcipient to define a suspension and/or simply smeared on a microscopeslide for direct cytological analysis.

In the case where the cells are analysed in order to detect the antigensby either enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, solid phase radiobindingimmunoassays where the antibodies may be directed either against solubleantigens or cell surface antigens, autoradiography, competitive bindingradioimmunoassay, inmunoradiometric assay (IRMA), electron microscopy,peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) labelling, fluorescent microscopy,alkaline phosphatase labelling, peroxidase. labelling, an apparatus ormaterial for measuring radioactivity, electrophoresis, Western blotting,Northern blotting, Southern cDNA blotting, flow cytometry, opticalmicroscopy, spectrophotometry, a densitometer, an apparatus formeasuring light reactivity, an apparatus for colorimetric determinationand a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the endometrial cells or cellcomponents may be suspended in an excipient to define the suspension,isolated by a process comprising a mechanical disruption of endometrialtissue and the suspension is then digested.

In the case where electrophoresis is used for protein detection, theendometrial cells or cell components may be suspended in an excipient todefine a suspension and may be obtained by a process comprisinga-mechanical disruption of endometrial Assue. Advantageously, thesuspension is then digested and deposited in a well of anelectrophoresis gel. Next, the antigen is migrated through said gel byelectrophoresis so that the antigen is isolated. Then the migratedantigens are transferred onto a membrane (e.g. nitrocellulose, nylon).Next, either a labelled antibody is reacted with the aforesaid membrane,or an antibody is reacted with aforesaid membrane and reacted with theantigen, and then a labelled antibody is further added to aforesaidmembrane, and reacted With the antibody having already reacted with theantigen. The labelled antibody is then detected by detection means.

The detection means mentioned hereinabove may be selected from the groupconsisting of an apparatus for calorimetric determination, an apparatusfor measuring light reactivity and an apparatus for measuringradioactivity.

Advantageously, the cells evaluated may be obtained from theendometrium.

The endometrial cells or cell components should be glandular endometrialcells or cell components.

EXAMPLE 1

Advantageously, as a particularly preferred direct method of detectionof HLA-ABC surface antigens of endometrial cells for the diagnosis ofendometriosis, the following steps may be carried out:

Step 1

Cell Preparation

1.1 Endometrial biopsy with Wallach™ endocell (Pharmascience) or anyother endometrial sampler

1.2 Mechanical disruption of endometrial tissue and filtration through a250 μm stainless steel sieve

1.3 Collect by backwash endometrial glands retained on the filter

1.4 Dissociate glands by incubation with trypsin 0.25% for 10 minutes at37° C. and wash 2× with RPMI supplemented with 2.5% human AB (HAB) serum(Gibco, Grand Island, N.Y.)

Step 2

Evaluation of % of Cells Expressing HLA-ABC

2.1 Approximately 5×10⁵ cells obtained after step 1.4 are incubated withmonoclonal antibodies including an anti-HLA-ABC antibody (Chemicon) anda negative isotype control antibody (Coulter, Hialeah, Fla.) for 30minutes at 4° C.

2.2 Wash cells twice with 2.5% HAB serum in RPMI

2.3 Incubate with Goat anti-Mouse Ig conjugated to FITC (Coulter) for 30minutes at 4° C.

2.4 Wash cells twice with 2.5% HAB serum in RPMI

2.5 Fix in 0.1% formaldehyde

2.6 Determine immunofluorescence reactivity by flow cytometry todetermine the percentage of cells expressing HLA-ABC

Step 3

Alternative to Enhance Specificity of Detection of HLA-ABC Antigens

3. In order to confirm that HLA-ABC expression is evaluated specificallyon glandular cells, it is possible to identify glandular cells bymonoclonal antibody labelling. Instead of step 2, the endometrial cellsare first permeabilized and then labelled with an anti-cytokeratinmonoclonal antibody conjugated with FITC (Becton-Dickinson, San Jose,Calif.). HLA-ABC expression is evaluated only on cells gated forcytokeratin positivity. We have previously shown that cellpermeabilization does not impair detection of HLA-ABC expression (FIG.1)

3.1 Endometrial cells obtained from step 1.4 are spun down andsupernatant removed

3.2 Cells are put on ice and cold ethanol (−80° C.) is slowly dripped onthe cells

3.3 This cell mixture is incubated at 4° C. for 30 minutes

3.4 Cells are washed twice with 2.5% HAB serum in RPMI 1640 and dividedinto four tubes (approximately 5×10⁵ cells per tube)

3.5 Following antibodies are added to the different tubes:

tube 1: negative MsIg (source; same isotype as anti-HLA) unconjugatedantibody

tube 2: keep at 4° C. until step 3.7

tube 3: anti-HLA unconjugated antibody tube 4: keep at 4° C. until step3.7

3.6 Mixture is incubated at 4° C. for 30 minutes and then tubes 1 and 3are washed twice with 2.5% HAB serum in RPMI

3.7 Following reagents are added to the different tubes and incubated at4° C. for 30 minutes:

tube 1: Goat anti-Mouse Ig conjugated to FITC

tube 2: negative Goat anti-MsIg (Coulter) conjugated to FITC

tube 3: Goat anti-Mouse Ig conjugated to FITC

tube 4: anti-cytokeratin antibody conjugated to FITC

3.8 Cells are washed twice with 2.5% HAB serum in RPMI and fixed in 0.1%formaldehyde

3.9 Flow-cytometry is used to determine the percentage of cellsexpressing cytokeratin using standard techniques known in the art

3.9.1 Gating is then performed on cytokeratin positive cells and furtherevaluation is done only on these gated cells

3.9.2 Cytokeratin positive cells gated are evaluated: Expression ofHLA-ABC is then evaluated using cells from tube 4 and negativelylabelled cells from tube 2 are used as negative controls

3.9.3 This assay allows determination of the percentage of endometrialcells expressing HLA-ABC

EXAMPLE 2

Also, as another particularly preferred method of detection of HLA-ABCsurface antigens of endometrial cells for the diagnosis ofendometriosis, the following steps may be carried out:

Step 1

Cell Preparation

1.1 Endometrial biopsy with Wallach™ endocell (Pharmascience) or anyother endometrial sampler

1.2 Tissue section by cryosection and then mounted on slide

Step 2

Evaluation of % of Cells Expressing HLA-ABC

2.1 Proceed to fixation with acetone/methanol (3:1) for 6 minutes

2.2 Wash with Tris-HCL buffer for 5 minutes

2.3 Incubation with blocking agent (BSA 0.5%) for 5 minutes

2.4 Add anti-HLA-ABC antibody and incubate for 30 minutes

2.5 Wash with Tris-HCL buffer 3× for 1 minute

2.6 Incubate with second antibody biotinylated (Dako, Pittsburg, Pa.)for 10 minutes

2.7 Wash with Tris-HCL buffer 3× for 1 minute

2.8 Incubate with enzyme-conjugated streptavidin for 10 minutes

2.9 Wash with Tris-HCL buffer 3× for 1 minute

2.10 Incubate with substrate for 10 minutes

2.11 Wash 1× with tap water for 1 minute

2.12 Counter-stain with Mayer's heamalun for 1 minute

2.13 Wash in tap water for 5 minutes

2.14 Mount slide with aqueous solution and read under optical microscopeto determine the percentage of cells expressing HLA-ABC

EXAMPLE 3

Furthermore, as still another particularly preferred method of detectionof MHC Class I surface antigens in endometrial cells by electrophoresisfor the diagnosis of endometriosis, the following steps may be carriedout:

Step 1

Cell Preparation

1.1 Endometrial biopsy with Wallach™ endocell (Pharmascience) or anyother endometrial sampler

1.2 Mechanical disruption of endometrial tissue and filtration through a250 μM stainless steel sieve

1.3 Collect by backwash endometrial glands retained on the filter

1.4 Dissociation of glands by incubation with trypsin 0.25% for 10minutes at 37° C. and wash 2× with RPMI supplemented with 2.5% FCS

Step2

Gel Technique

2.1 Preparation of 1% SDS- 12% polyacrylamide gel

2.2 Mix cell suspension with equal volume of loading buffer

2.3 Place the sample in boiling-water for 10 minutes

2.4 Deposit mixed suspension in wells and run in conventional manner theelectrophoresis gel

2.5 When the SDS-polyacrylamide gel is approaching the end of its run,rinse the graphite plate with distilled water and wipe off any beads ofliquid that adhere to them with Kimwipes™

2.6 Cut six pieces of Whatman™ 3MM paper and one piece of nitrocellulosefilter (Millipore) to exact size of the SDS-polyacrylamide gel

2.7 Float the nitrocellulose filter on the surface of a tray ofdeionized water and allow it to wet from beneath by capillary action.Then submerge the filter in the water for at least 5 minutes

2.8 Soak the six pieces of Whatman™ 3MM paper in a shallow traycontaining a small amount of transfer buffer

2.9 Set up the transfer apparatus

2.10 Place the upper electrode on top of the stack, graphite side down.

Connect the electrical leads and apply a current of 0.65 mA/sq. cm ofgel for a period of 1.5-2.0 hours

2.11 Disassemble the transfer apparatus from the top downward, peelingoff each layer in turn. Transfer the gel to a tray containing CoomassieBrillant Blue and stain it

2.12 Cut off the bottom left-hand corner of the filter and stain thefilter with a radiolabelled antibody or other suitable probe againstHLA-ABC surface antigens and visualize by autoradiography to detect saidsurface antigens

The examples which follow provide an illustration of the characteristicsand advantages of the present invention, without however limiting itsscope.

EXAMPLE 4 Method of Obtaining Endometrial Tissue Samples

The endometrial tissue samples were obtained from 60 women undergoingdiagnostic laparoscopy, from infertile patients attending a fertilityclinic, from women undergoing procedures related to gynaecologicalpathologies or from women undergoing tubal ligation. These samples weretaken with a Wallach™ endocell sampler (Pharmascience, Montreal,Quebec), during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (between the18th day and the 25th day of the cycle). The samples were placed intosterile RPMI-1640 (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) medium (Gibco, GrandIsland, N.Y.) and supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated Fetal CalfSerum (Gibco, Grand Island, N.Y.), 2% L-glutamine and 1%penicillin/streptomycin. Of course, the samples may have been placed inother culture media or aqueous suspensions suitable to maintain cellviability.

Isolation of a Glandular Endometrial Cell

The endometrial tissue was suspended in an excipient (RPMI-1640) andmechanically disrupted using Pyrex™ glass Broeck™ tissue grinders(Fisher, Nepean, Ont.) in order to obtain an endometrial cell or cellcomponent suspension. The alternative excipient may be selected amongstwell known media.

The suspension was then filtered through a 250 μM stainless steel sieve(Millipore, Marlborough, Mass.), where the glands were retained on thefilter, while the stromal enriched fraction passed through the filter.These glands were recovered from the filter by backwashing with RPMImedium.

The glandular cells or cell components were then incubated withcollagenase type I 0.25% (Sigma, St-Louis, Mo.) for about 2 hours at 37°C., in a shaking waterbath. Subsequently, the glandular cells or cellcomponents were incubated with trypsin 0.1% (Sigma, St-Louis, Mo.) forabout twelve minutes at 37° C. The enzymatic reaction was stopped with500 μL of normal human serum. After treatment with trypsin 0.1%, theglandular endometrial cell was washed twice with RPMI medium.

Another method (Satyaswaroop, 1979) may be used to isolate a glandularendometrial cell. Here, the endometrial tissue is cut into about 1 mm.pieces and treated with 0.25% collagenase at 37° C., in a shaking waterbath for two hours. This collagenase-treated tissue is then strainedthrough a 250 μM sieve in order to retain the undigested tissue andmucous material. The filtrate is then passed through a 38 μM or 105 μMsieve in order to retain the glands. In order to disperse the glandsinto single glandular epithelial cells, it is possible to add a secondincubation period. The glands were then resuspended in 3 mL of trypsin0.025%—EDTA 0.01% and in PBS/BSA, and then incubated for seven to twelveminutes. However, there are disadvantages with this technique in thatfirstly, one must carry out additional filtrations on 38 μM or 105 μMsieves to obtain these glands and secondly, because the purity after thesecond filtration would not be as good as that for the initial method.

The endometrial tissue can also be evaluated on a slide without being insuspension, using the techniques of cryosection or paraffin-embedding oftissues.

Cytocentrifugation

The endometrial cells were taken at different steps of the isolationprocedure or sorted using flow cytometry, evaluated for viability andthen cytocentrifuged (Shandon Cytospin II, Pittsburgh, Pa.) and dried ona slide for thirty minutes. The slide was then stained with Papanicolaoustain (Sigma, St-Louis, Mo.) for morphological confirmation, or withvarious monoclonal antibodies.

With regard to the evaluation for viability, it is to be noted that theglandular cells were well dispersed and conserved their integrity. Inorder to evaluate the purity of the glandular fraction, the glandularcells were measured with a monoclonal antibody (mAB) directed againstthe cytokeratin 14-18 antibody and visualized by alkaline phosphatasestaining. The glandular fraction was contaminated by less than 25% ofcells which were negative for the presence of cytokeratin 14-18 (TableI).

TABLE I DETECTION ON DETECTION BY CYTOCENTRIFUGED FLOW CELLS CYTOMETRY %PURITY 75 96 % HLA-ABC WITHOUT 31 ± 24 22 ± 11 ENDOMETRIOSIS % HLA-ABCWITH 90 ± 10 79 ± 11 ENDOMETRIOSIS

The contamination was made by the presence of the stromal cells (i.e.fibroblast-derived cells and leucocytes). Other isolation techniques canalso be used which give similar results.

The cytocentrifuged cells were fixed on the microscope slide with amixture of acetone/methanol (3:1) for ten (10) minutes and washed 2times with Tris-HCl buffer for five minutes. Optionally, the cells maybe washed 2 or 3 times with Tris-HCl buffer for 1 to 5 minutes. Thecells can be fixed using other well known fixation techniques known inthe art.

A blocking reagent, BSA 0.1%, was then added for five minutes tosaturate non-specific binding sites. Powdered milk may also be used as ablocking reagent. Optionally, the blocking reagent, BSA 0.1%, may beadded for five to thirty minutes.

Addition of a Monoclonal Antibody by Indirect Immunohistochemistry

The slide was incubated with a primary mouse monoclonal antibody forthirty minutes at room temperature and washed three times with Tris-HClbuffer for five minutes each time. The antibody selected was ananti-HLA-ABC (Chemicon, Temecula, Calif.). The slide was reincubatedwith an anti-mouse Immunoglobulin-biotinilated monoclonal antibody for10 minutes at room temperature, and washed three times with Tris-HClbuffer for five minutes each time. Optionally, the incubation times forboth monoclonal antibodies may vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour at atemperature varying from 4° C. to room temperature.

Optionally, the slide may be washed between each exposure to antibody, 2or 3 times with Tris-HCl buffer for 10 1 to 5 minutes.

Streptavidine conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was then added toform a complex with biotin already associated with the anti-mouseImmunoglobulin monoclonal antibody, for ten minutes and the slide wasagain washed three times with Tris-HCl buffer for five minutes eachtime. Optionally, the slide may be washed 2 or 3 times with Tris-HClbuffer for 1 to 5 minutes. The slide was developed with the addition ofa chromogenic substrate for ten minutes, and washed with tap water forone minute. The cytospin slide was counterstained with Mayer's haemalun(BDH, Toronto, Ont.) for one minute and washed with tap water foranother five minutes Other stains known in the art like Wright-Giemsamay be used to counterstain the slides. Finally, the slide was mountedwith Immu-mount (Shandon, Pittsburgh, Pa.). The staining was evaluatedby optical microscopy in at least 3 times 100 cells. When theendometrial cells express the HLA-ABC surface antigen, these cells havetheir surface antigens revealed by a characteristic colouration.

FIG. 2 shows the expression of HLA-ABC antigens at the surface ofglandular endometrial cells of women suffering or not of endometriosisversus the diagnosis obtained by performing laparoscopies on thesewomen. The laparoscopy results showed that for 60 women tested, 35 didnot have endometriosis while 25 did have endometriosis. However, usingour indirect immunohistochemical method, 7 of the 35 women who did nothave endometriosis by laparoscopy, showed a high percentage(specificity>80%) of endometrial cells expressing HLA-ABC antigens witha different expression, which is predictive of endometriosis. Therefore,the results obtained by laparoscopy suggest that they could be lessreliable than those with our indirect immunohistochemical method whichshowed a 100% sensitivity. For example, it has been demonstrated thatfalse negative results with laparoscopy could occur in women withmicroscopic endometriosis. In our indirect immunohistochemical method,women without endometriosis expressed only 31±24% (mean±S.D.) whilewomen with endometriosis expressed 90±10% HLA-ABC antigens. Class IIMajor Histocompatibility Complex antigens were not expressed at thesurface of glandular endometrial cells from women with or withoutendometriosis (data not shown). It should be deduced from the resultsshown in FIG. 2 that all women with laparoscopically diagnosedendometriosis have at least about 65% of their endometrial cellsexpressing HLA-ABC antigens. In the presence of negative results (lessthan 65%) in our immunohistochemical diagnostic test, endometriosiswould be ruled out, preventing the need for a laparoscopy in thesewomen. However, in the presence of positive results (≧65%) in ourimmunohistochemical diagnostic test, laparoscopy could still benecessary in these women to evaluate the invasiveness (stage 0 to IV) ofendometriosis.

It was further verified that enzymatic steps in the isolation methodmentioned hereinabove, do not cleave the epitope of antigenic structuresfound on a cell surface. In order to verify this, normal peripheralblood mononuclear cells were treated with collagenase and trypsin, asthey are used for this isolation procedure, in order to evaluate whetheror not enzymatic treatment has an effect on the expression of surfaceantigens of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from normal donors.

Indeed, antigenic structures could be cleaved by enzymatic treatmentresulting in a modification of the pattern of expression of differentsurface antigens, for example leading to the absence of detection of anantigen that is really present on native cells but cleaved by theenzymatic treatment.

PBL were incubated with collagenase type I 0.25% (Sigma, St-Louis, Mo.)for 2 hours at 37° C. in a shaking waterbath and washed twice and withtrypsin 0.1% (Sigma, St-Louis, Mo.) for 12 minutes at 37° C. Enzymaticreaction was stopped with 500 μL of normal human serum. As control, PBLwere incubated with medium only (no enzymatic treatment). Treated anduntreated cells were then labelled with monoclonal antibodies forimmunofluorescence analysis.

As shown in FIG. 1, treatment with collagenase or with trypsin did notaffect the recognition of HLA-ABC surface antigens on PBL. Although thisimmunological evaluation was performed on peripheral blood cells, it ispossible to extrapolate that the enzymatic treatment will not affectrecognition of HLA-ABC surface antigens on glandular endometrial cells.

EXAMPLE 5 Flow Cytometry

All the procedures set forth in step 1 of Example 1 were repeated untilthe addition of the monoclonal antibody. This addition is then carriedout according to the following steps:

A panel of monoclonal antibodies was used. The cytokeratin conjugatedantibody with FITC (Becton Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) and anunconjugated HLA-ABC were used. Labelling of cells with this panel ofmonoclonal antibodies was performed using standard techniques known inthe art.

Briefly 0.5 times 10⁶ cells were incubated with monoclonal antibodiesfor 30 minutes at 4° C., then washed twice. A second incubation wasperformed for the unconjugated antibody with anti-MsIg conjugated tophycoerythin (PE) for 30 minutes at 4° C., then washed twice and fixedin 0.1% formaldehyde. Immunofluorescence reactivity was determined byflow cytometry analysing 10⁴ cells in each sample. Flow-cytometry(FACstar plus, Becton-Dickinson, San Jose, Calif.) was performed with anargon laser operating at 488 nm with an intensity of 200 mW. Backgroundfluorescence was determined using isotype-matched nonreactive directlyor indirectly conjugated monoclonal antibodies (MsI--FITC and PE) andwas <1% for all analysed. Table I shows the results for 12 samplesanalysed by flow cytometry. Women without endometriosis expressed only22±11%, in contrast with women with endometriosis who expressed 79±11%HLA-ABC antigens.

EXAMPLE 6 Method of Obtaining Endometrial Tissue Samples

The endometrial tissue samples were obtained from 40 women undergoingdiagnostic laparoscopy, from infertile patients attending a fertilityclinic, from women undergoing procedures related to gynaecologicalpathologies or from women under tubal ligation. These samples were takenwith a Wallach™ endocell sampler (Pharmascience, Montréal, Québec),during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (between the 18th dayand the 25th day of the cycle). The samples were placed into sterileRPMI-1640 medium and supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated Fetal CalfSerum, 2% L-glutamine and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. Of course, thesamples may have been placed in other culture media or aqueoussuspensions suitable to maintain cell viability.

Tissue Preparation

The endometrial tissue was cut in small pieces (3 mn×3 mn) with 2scalpels and placed in a round bottom test tube. In order to generate acell suspension, the tissue was digested with an enzymatic solutioncontaining collagenase type I 0.4% and DNAse type I 0.001% for 45minutes at 37° C. in a shaking waterbath. After the treatment, the cellsuspension was washed twice with RPMI medium.

The cell must be permeabilized before the evaluation procedure. Theendometrial cells are spun down and supernatant removed. Add drop bydrop, 1 mL of acetone/methanol (3:1) on the pellet and gently resuspendthe cells. Incubate 6 minutes at room temperature to achievepermeabilization. Add slowly 9 mL of water and spin down.

Pre-coated Chamber Slide

The evaluation of the MHC class I antigen is specific only on theendometrial glandular cells. The cell type selection is achieved usingthe anti-cytokeratin antibody specific for epithelial cells. A solidsupport like the Nunc chamber slide (4, 8 or 16 chambers can be used)was pre-coated with a rabbit. anti-human-cytokeratin pan (15 μg/mL) andthe cell suspension put in the chambers. After a 15-minute incubation atroom temperature, the chambers were washed twice with Tris-HCl buffer.

A blocking reagent, BSA 2% was then added for five minutes to saturatenon-specific binding sites. These pre-coated chamber slides comprisingfixed anti-cytokeratin antibody are usable to retain the endometrialglandular cells.

Addition of a Monoclonal Antibody by Indirect Immunocytochemistry

The chamber slides were incubated with a primary mouse monoclonalantibody for 15 minutes at room temperature and washed three times withTris-HCl buffer for 1 minute each time. The antibody selected was ananti-HLA-ABC (Chemicon, Temecula, Calif.). The chambers slide werereincubated with an anti-mouse immunoglobtilin-biotinylated polyclonalantibody for 10 minutes at room temperature, and washed three times withTris-HCl buffer for 1 minute each time.

Streptavidine conjugated with alkaline phosphatase was then added toform a complex with biotin already associated with the anti-mouseimmunoglobulin monoclonal antibody, for 10 minutes and the chamber slidewere again washed three times with Tris-HCl buffer for 1 minute eachtime. The fixed primary antibody was developed with the addition of achromogenic substrate for 10 minutes, and washed with tap water for 1minute. The cells were counterstained with Mayer's haemalun for 45seconds and washed for another 5 minutes. The chambers were taken offfrom the slide. Finally, the slide was mounted with immu-mount (Shandon,Pittsburgh, Pa.). The staining was evaluated by optical microscopy in atleast 3 fields of 100 cells. When the endometrial cells express theHLA-ABC surface antigen, these cells have their surface antigensrevealed by a characteristic colouration.

FIG. 3 shows the expression HLA-ABC antigens at the surface of glandularendometrial cells of women suffering or not of endometriosis versus thediagnosis obtained by performing laparoscopies on these women. Thelaparoscopy results showed that for 40 women tested, 24 did not haveendometriosis while 16 did have endometriosis. However, using ourindirect immunocytochemical method, 6 of the 24 women who did not haveendometriosis by laparoscopy, showed a high percentage of endometrialcells expressing HLA-ABC antigens with a different expression, which ispredictive of endometriosis. Therefore, the results obtained bylaparoscopy suggest that they could be less reliable than those with ourindirect imnmunocytochemical method which showed a 100% sensitivity. Forexample, it has been demonstrated that the false negative results withlaparoscopy could occur in women with microscopic endometriosis. In ourindirect immunocytochemical method, women without endometriosisexpressed only 37±34% (mean±SD) while women with endometriosis expressed89±6% HLA-ABC antigens. It may be deduced from the results shown in FIG.3 that all women with laparoscopically diagnosed endometriosis have morethan 65% of their endometrial cells expressing HLA-ABC antigens. In thepresence of negative results (<65%) with immunocytochemical diagnostictest, endometriosis would be ruled out, preventing the need for alaparoscopy in these women. However, in the presence of positive results(>65%) with immunocytochemical diagnostic test, laparoscopy could stillbe necessary in order to evaluate the invasiveness of endometriosis.

It appears clearly from the above results that the present inventionprovides a method which will easily, rapidly and sensitivelydifferentially detect endometriosis in women when compared to those notsuffering from the same.

Diagnostic Kit

The method of diagnosing endometriosis according to this invention canbe practised by way of a diagnostic kit. Such a kit should contain allthe essential elements to perform one of the preferred methods, whichchoice depends on the laboratory facilities available to the practician.Such essential elements are the following for detecting the presence ofantigens:

Indirect Detection:

a first antibody consisting of an anti-MHC class I antibody, preferablya monoclonal anti-HLA-ABC antibody, and

a labelled second antibody which binds antibodies all the antibodies ofthe first species.

Direct Detection:

a labelled anti-MHC class I antibody, preferably a monoclonal anti-HLA-ABC antibody.

Optional Reagents and Material:

When the method involves disruption of the sample cells as in Example 1,reactants like trypsin, RPMI and human AB serum may optionally enter thecomposition of the kit as well as any buffer or reagent for therevelation of the binding of the antibodies to the antigens and thedisposable instruments and reagents for sampling endometrium.Optionally, a labelled appropriately selected anti-cytokeratin antibodymay be provided.

When the method involves the mounting of a biopsy on a slide as inExample 2, the same optional components may enter the composition of thetest kit except for the material and buffer for disrupting the cells.

When the method involves the separation of proteins by electrophoresisas in Example 3, no human AB serum is necessary. Also, the material andreagents necessary for the electrophoresis and subsequent blotting maybe added.

Finally, when the method involves tissue separation and retention ofglandular endometrial cells as in Example 6, an enzymatic solution forseparation and anti-cytokeratin pre-coated chamber slides for retentionmay be provided along with the reagents necessary to reveal the bindingof the cells to anti-MHC class I antibody.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for diagnosing endometriosis comprising:reacting a first ligand which specifically binds a MajorHistocompatibility Complex (MHC)-class I antigen, a proteic precursor ora proteic fragment thereof, with a biological sample containingglandular endometrial cells to form a complex; and detecting thecomplex, wherein the presence of a percentage of glandular endometrialcells complexed with said first ligand greater than about 65% is anindication of the presence of endometriosis.
 2. A method according toclaim 1, wherein said glandular endometrial cells are isolated from saidbiological sample.
 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein saidglandular endometrial cells are isolated through their binding to ananti-cytokeratin antibody fixed onto a solid support.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 3, wherein said MHC-class I antigen is HumanLeucocyte Antigen (HLA)-ABC surface antigen and said first ligand is ananti-HLA-ABC-antibody.
 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein saidanti-HLA-ABC-antibody is produced by the hybridoma PHM4.
 6. A methodaccording to claim 2, wherein said MHC-class I antigen is HumanLeucocyte Antigen (HLA)-ABC surface antigen and said first ligand is ananti-HLA-ABC-antibody.
 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein saidanti-HLA-ABC-antibody is produced by the hybridoma PHM4.
 8. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said MHC-class I antigen is HumanLeucocyte Antigen (HLA)-ABC surface antigen and said first ligand is ananti-HLA-ABC-antibody.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein saidanti-HLA-ABC-antibody is produced by the hybridoma PHM4.
 10. A test kitfor diagnosing endometriosis comprising: a first ligand whichspecifically binds a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)-class Iantigen and a second ligand which binds cytokeratin, said second ligandbeing fixed onto a solid support.
 11. A test kit according to claim 10,wherein said MHC-class I antigen is Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-ABCsurface antigen and said first ligand is an anti-HLA-ABC-antibody.
 12. Atest kit according to claim 11, wherein said HLA-ABC-antibody isproduced by the hybridoma PHM4.
 13. A method for diagnosingendometriosis comprising: providing a solid support on which is fixed afirst ligand which is an anti-cytokeratin antibody to isolate glandularendometrial cells from an endometrial tissue sample; obtaining asuspension of endometrial cells from an endometrial tissue sample;contacting said solid support with said suspension of endometrial cells,whereby said glandular endometrial cells are retained on said solidsupport; contacting glandular endometrial cells retained on the solidsupport with a second ligand which specifically binds a majorhistocompatibility complex (MHC)-class I antigen, a proteic precursor ora protein fragment thereof, or a messenger RNA or a cDNA to a messengerRNA encoding said antigen, precursor or fragment, wherein the secondligand forms a complex with said antigen, precursor, or fragmentthereof, or RNA or cDNA; and detecting the presence of the complex as anindication of the presence of endometriosis.
 14. A method according toclaim 13, wherein said MHC-class I antigen is a Human Leucocyte Antigen(HLA)-ABC surface antigen and said second ligand is an anti-HLA-ABCantibody.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein saidanti-HLA-ABC-antibody is produced by the hybridoma PHM4.